The County Attorney is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and advises the BOCC, elected County officials, County departments and volunteer citizens boards on all legal issues including, but not limited to policy-making, regulations, operations and programs of the county. The County Attorney is responsible for drafting resolutions, ordinances and intergovernmental agreements, reviewing County contracts and, as directed by the BOCC, prosecuting and defending civil lawsuits brought by and against the County. The County Attorney also provides legal advice and assistance with open space acquisitions, represents the People of the State of Colorado in dependency and neglect cases and is the staff liaison for the Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund Citizens Advisory Board and the Conflict of Interest Committee Citizens Board.
The Pitkin County Code Enforcement Officer works under the direction of the County Attorney. See the Code Enforcement page for more information.
In addition to the County Attorney, the office is comprised of an Assistant County Attorney, two certified legal assistants and the Code Enforcement Officer. The mission of the County Attorney’s Office is to provide timely, accurate and clear legal advice, to disseminate code information and insure code compliance by all citizens, and to protect and defend Pitkin County.
The County Attorney does not provide general legal advice to the public.
The County Attorney does not prosecute criminal matters. Criminal Proceedings in Pitkin County are handled by the 9th Judicial District Attorney (970) 920-5341.